Three of the four teams in the Copper Corridor will open their seasons on Aug. 17, while the other – Hayden – starts the season with a bye week and will play its opener at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf on Aug. 24.
A few quick scheduling observations:
• Superior, the 1A State Runner-Up a year ago, starts its season with three-straight games against teams that reached the playoffs last season – at Mayer, at Valley Union and vs. Bagdad. In all, the Panthers have five of eight games against teams that made playoff appearances in 2017.
• Hayden, which reached the quarterfinals last year, will play four games against playoff teams from last year, including the two teams that played for the 1A State Championship – Superior and Williams.
• Ray, another playoff team from 2017, has three playoff teams from last season on its schedule, including Superior on Senior Night. The Bearcats have nine games scheduled, consequently surrendering their bye week.
• San Manuel, which went 6 – 4 last season and just missed the playoffs, plays three games against playoff teams from a year ago – Tempe Prep, Willcox and Yuma Catholic. Three of the Miners’ final four games are on the road, including the final two at Globe and at Miami.